Tod's Stuff

All Steel Rondel Dagger

Overall Length:

16.5 inches

Blade Length:

12.25 inches

Rondel Diameter:

2.5 inches

Weight:

1.1 lbs

Blade width at cross:

1.25 inches

Blade width 2 inches from tip:

0.25 inches

Handle Length:

4.25 inches

Performance Review:
The blade tapers to a strongly reinforced point, a desired trait if engaging opponents clad in plate or mail. The large rondels provide
protection for the hand as well as locking the hand into the grip, affording a strong hold despite the relative smoothness of the steel grip.

Appearance:
This dagger is made entirely of steel. The thick blade has a strong midrib and is also deeply hollow-ground. It is very nicely
executed and cleanly ground and polished, with no notable wobbles, unevenness, or tool marks.
The rondels are symmetrical and feature antiqued incised lines, forming a geometric pattern. On
this particular model there is one place on the inside of the lower rondel that appears to have been hit with a punch or some other
scoring tool and the upper rondel exhibits two small "dings" on its edge.
The grip is steel with an incised pattern, cleanly executed and tapering slightly towards the blade. The entire assembly
is peened together with a noticeable but clean peen at the center of the upper rondel. There is some slight roughness to the juncture
between blade and guard where the tang goes through the lower rondel.

Conclusion:
Tod does an excellent job of building his creations to fulfill his motto: "made to be used." This dagger gives the impression of
being sturdily functional while still possessing a bit of style.
Although this particular example is not completely flawless in execution, one nevertheless gets the impression that it would not at all
look out of place sitting at the hip of a late-14th century knight or man-at-arms.
The Tod's Stuff dagger was certainly not inexpensive; however, considering the lack of high-end custom rondel daggers available on the
market, the price was more than fair. In short, I am quite pleased with this effort and would not hesitate to purchase from this maker again.